About this topic
End stage kidney disease is also called kidney failure. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs in the back of your belly. They sit just above your waist and filter your blood. The kidneys get rid of waste products and extra fluid from your body. The waste is turned into urine. ‚
Sometimes, your kidneys do not work well. You are in kidney failure when your kidneys are no longer able to remove waste from your blood. You have a lot of damage to your kidneys. They are only working at 10 to 15 percent of what they normally would. This may happen all of a sudden or slowly over time. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- If you have a trusted friend, family member, or significant other that can accompany you to your doctor visits, bring them along as well.
- You may need dialysis for the rest of your life or until you have a kidney transplant. Learn how to care for your catheter, shunt, or fistula.
- Keep your legs above the level of your heart when in bed. This may help with your bodys blood flow and lower swelling in your feet.
- Learn how to take your blood pressure.
- Never take your blood pressure in the arm that has a catheter or shunt in it.
- Write down each blood pressure reading and take these notes to your doctor.
- Be sure you take your blood pressure drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Ask your doctor what a normal blood pressure is for you. Learn when you need to call the doctor for your blood pressure.
- Ask if you need to limit the amount of water and fluids you drink.
- Extra fluid can make your kidneys have to work harder. You may also feel short of breath.
- Talk to your doctor about the right amount of fluid for you.
- Check your weight each day.
- Be sure to weigh at the same time and wear the same amount of clothes.
- Write down your weight each day and take these notes to your doctor.
- Call your doctor if you gain 2 to 3 pounds and are not on dialysis.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may also need to have dialysis a few times each week. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower blood pressure
- Control blood sugar levels
- Lower cholesterol
- Slow down kidney failure
- Decrease extra fluid in your body
Will physical activity be limited?
Based on your illness, your activity may be limited. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Talk with your doctor or a dietitian about a diet plan that is right for you. Your doctor may want you to: ‚
- Limit the amount of fluids in your diet.
- Eat a diet that is low in salt.
- Eat foods that are low in potassium. Some of these are apples, blueberries, grapes, peaches, green beans, cabbage, and lettuce.
- Eat foods that are low in phosphorus. Some of them are green peas, white bread, non-dairy creamer, and regular cheeses.
- Eat foods that are high in protein. Eat more fish, meats, and eggs.
- Request a dietary consult if you need help adjusting to the required diet.
- Not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Heart, brain, liver, lung problems
- High blood pressure
- Anemia
- Kidney failure
- Weakened bones
- Fluid buildup
- Seizures, confusion, or coma
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Doing these things may help to keep your kidneys working better longer: ‚
- Watch your salt intake.
- Eat low-fat foods like lean cuts of meat, fish, skinless chicken and turkey.
- Keep blood sugar levels under control if you have diabetes.
- Keep your blood pressure lower than 130/80. Take your blood pressure drugs as ordered.
- Be careful when taking over-the-counter pain drugs. Talk to your doctor about what drugs are safe for you.
- Keep a healthy weight. If you weigh too much, lose weight.
- Exercise more often.
- If you smoke, stop smoking.
- Limit or stop drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Keep your visits with your doctor to check your blood tests and blood pressure.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet. Puffy eyelids and face, especially in the morning.
- Passing less urine than normal or not able to pass urine
- Tired and have no energy
- Not hungry or losing weight but not trying to
- Upset stomach or throwing up
- Not able to sleep
- You cannot make it to your dialysis appointment
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet, drugs, or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more swelling, pass less urine, or cannot make a dialysis appointment.
Where can I learn more?
American Kidney Fund ‚
http://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-health/kidney-failure/ ‚
American Urological Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=20 ‚
Better Health Channel ‚
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Kidney_failure ‚
National Kidney Disease Education Program ‚
http://nkdep.nih.gov/living/kidney-failure.shtml ‚
National Kidney Foundation ‚
http://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/twosimpletests.cfm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚